🧠 Inventions of 1981
Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
1 
Personal Computer (IBM PC)
2 
Graphical User Interface Concept
3 
Word Processing Software (Microsoft Word)
4 
Digital Camera Prototype Commercialization
5 
Medical Infusion Pump
6 
Local Area Network Expansion
7 
Portable Video Game Console
8 
Computer-Aided Manufacturing Software
9 
Speech Recognition System Improvement
10 
Reusable Space Shuttle Program
HEADLINES ON July 14, 1981
Full News Archive
- Headline: Dudley Moore Shines in 'Arthur'. Impact: If Dudley Moore hadn't charmed everyone as a drunken playboy, we might never have seen the rise of quirky rom-coms featuring hopelessly flawed protagonists. Imagine a world where love stories are exclusively about perfect people—boring, right? Thanks, Dudley!. Fact: Dudley Moore was a trained classical pianist. So, while he played a screwball, he could probably serenade you into submission with a sonata..
- Headline: Brooke Shields in 'Endless Love'. Impact: Brooke Shields' role in 'Endless Love' set the stage for generations of teenage romances, which eventually led to the creation of countless cringe-worthy YA novels and movies. So really, we have her to thank for the Twilight saga. You're welcome, world.. Fact: Brooke Shields was only 14 when she filmed 'Endless Love.' Just imagine being a teenager and starring in a movie that would be a blueprint for every dramatic teenage heartthrob for decades—no pressure at all!.
Wall Street Time Machine
The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1981, here's what it would be worth in 2025.
Rank #2
INTC
Intel
Price in 1981
$0.23
Value in 2025
$155,194
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1981, it would be worth $155,194 today (155.2x return)
🦸 Top 5 Comics
Daredevil #181
$2,600
Uncanny X-Men #141
$1,000
Marvel Graphic Novel #1
$42,000
Moon Knight #1
$250
Saga of the Swamp Thing #1
$300
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Rubik's Cube
$150.00
LEGO Space Sets
$400.00
My Little Pony
$150.00
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
$150.00
Smurfs Figurines
$150.00
🎮 Top 5 Video Games
Donkey Kong
$300.00
Pac-Man
$1,500.00
Frogger
$50.00
Galaga
$262.70
Ms. Pac-Man
$33,400.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card
$76,250
1981 Fleer Fernando Valenzuela Rookie Card
$400
1981 Donruss Tim Raines Rookie Card
$1,200.00
1981 Topps Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Card
$427,000
1981 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky
$2,000